Certain Arthritis Patients Fare Worse After Joint Replacement: Study

This short rewrite of a journal news release offers little of value to readers. This “story” tarnishes the reputations of other web sites that are re-posting it.

Our Review Summary

How high is higher and how low is low? Those are questions this story about joint replacement fails to address. The story is so vague it is hard to see how it is worth the time to read. Instead of referring to a “Study”, the headline should have used the term “News Release.” The potential harm of the lack of actual reporting is compounded by the fact that this “story” was re-posted by MedlinePlus, a product of the National Library of Medicine that should adhere to a much higher standard.

Why This Matters

Millions of people with arthritis may at some point face a decision about joint replacement. This sort of news release summary won’t help them or their physicians make informed decisions.

Not Satisfactory

Not Satisfactory

The story includes a quote pulled from a news release that says, “Joint arthroplasty is successful in relieving the pain and disability caused by hip or knee arthritis,” without any details about how successful or any of the specific characteristics of the patients.

Not Satisfactory

Potential harms of joint replacement are the focus of the story, but there is no attempt to put them in perspective for readers.

The story does not tell readers how high or low the rates of complications are. It says people with rheumatoid arthritis had higher rates of dislocation and infection after a joint replacement than those with osteoarthritis, but no relative or absolute risk statistics are reported. The story pulls a quote from a news release saying “complication rates are low,” but “low” is not defined.

Not Applicable

Not applicable. No details were given about the availability or widespread use of joint replacements. Even though no specific numbers are reported, readers should understand that joint replacement is a widely available treatment.

Not Applicable

Not Satisfactory

The story notes that it is based on a news release. The quote is identified as coming from a release. But the poor quality of the story demonstrates why this sort of news release re-write is of little value to readers.

Total Score: 1 of 7 Satisfactory

We Welcome Comments

But please note: We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified facts, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who doesn't list what appears to be an actual email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don't give medical advice so we won't respond to questions asking for it. Please see more on our comments policy.